Sunday, June 11, 2006

The sad passing of Common Sense

Thanks to Doug from over at AFDF (post #22378).

The sad passing of Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.

No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch;
and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; by his wife, Discretion; by his daughter, Responsibility; and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by three stepbrothers:

I Know My Rights,
Someone Else is to Blame,
I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on.

If not join the majority and do nothing.

2 Comments:

Blogger pumuckl said...

hej Phil, I do read your blog and sometimes I think about what you wrote in one of your first comments on mine: that we might have quite different political opinions. I come to think that we are actually closer than you thought!

this common sense blog is really good. I also like to read your thoughts about the feeling that comes up when saying "my country" or analysing East Timor. There are so many places in the world I don't know much about.

thanks for stopping by on my blog. I'd love to hear more about your past servicing your country... if you like to share, of course!

kind regards from Afghanistan

Tuesday, June 20, 2006 2:41:00 pm  
Blogger Phil said...

Hi pmuckl, and thanks for the comments.

It may not be very 'blokey', but I do like good poetry, and there is some good poetry from the likes of Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson (Man from snowy river) and others.

East Timor, I just think we have a responsibility towards our smaller neighbours, and it's in our interests that they do well anyway.

My service days. I know Switzerland? has a militia type system. I was a 'regular' in the RAAF as a technician. This site;
http://www.geocities.com/twenty_eight_rac/
Gives some info on my training course.
I spent my active time in Nos 11 and 492 squadrons (P3 maritime surveillance aircraft). Not much to say really, Sign up for 9 years, get some good and useful training in return, feel you've done your bit.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006 9:32:00 pm  

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